During the ongoing trial of former Uvalde school police officer Adrian Gonzales, Velma Lisa Duran, sister of slain teacher Irma Garcia, has taken time off work to attend court proceedings. These hearings are taking place in Corpus Christi, as a judge deemed a fair trial could not be held in Uvalde, site of the tragic 2022 Robb Elementary School shooting.
Sister of Uvalde Teacher Speaks Out in Courtroom
Duran, a first-grade teacher, originally intended to drive back to San Antonio after the trial but decided against it due to the emotional toll. “I just can’t. I can barely breathe,” she expressed to reporters. Her sister, Irma Linda Garcia, was among the 21 victims killed in the shooting, which also claimed the life of co-teacher Eva Mireles and 19 fourth-grade students.
Trial Details and Emotional Impact
- Adrian Gonzales faces 29 counts of child endangerment.
- Irma Garcia’s death remains uncharged.
- Duran learned two weeks prior to the trial that there would be no indictments for the teachers’ deaths.
Duran shared her grief while attending the trial, revealing that she was caught off guard by the frequent mentions of her sister’s classroom and distressing autopsy photos displayed in court. “Seeing the faces on the screen today, it was just like I couldn’t breathe,” she said, emphasizing the difficulty of maintaining composure during emotional testimonies.
Frustrations with the Legal System
Duran has expressed deep frustration at the lack of accountability for her sister’s death. In her view, the absence of charges related to the teachers’ deaths suggests a disregard for their contributions. “It’s like she never existed, and so that’s hitting me really hard right now,” she remarked. District Attorney Christina Mitchell did not comment on the situation when approached.
Defense Arguments and Calls for Accountability
The defense has attempted to justify Gonzales’s actions by indicating his lack of specialized gear during the incident. However, Duran countered that the teachers did not need high-tech equipment; they utilized their own bodies to protect their students. “They were armed, yet they failed to act,” she pointed out, underscoring the broader issue of accountability among the responding officers.
Duran also criticized the defense’s portrayal of Gonzales as a hero for retrieving a key to her sister’s classroom. “Why are you trying to portray him as a hero?” she questioned, expressing her disbelief that this action could overshadow the culpability of the officers who hesitated to act sooner.
Looking Ahead
As Duran continues to follow the trial from a distance, she fears that justice may not be served for the Uvalde victims. Even if Gonzales is convicted of child endangerment, she feels it won’t equate to justice for her sister. “Her kids deserve justice. And that’s not justice, putting it all on one officer,” she concluded.
